Kangana Ranaut Faces Backlash for Inaction Amid Mandi Flood Crisis
Criticism Mounts Over Kangana Ranaut's Absence in Mandi
Munish Sood
MANDI: Following the devastating impact of cloudbursts and flash floods in Mandi, former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has distanced himself from the absence of actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut in her constituency. Thakur stated that he had advised her against visiting until conditions improved.
As Mandi continues to grapple with the aftermath of the floods for the third consecutive day, Kangana's noticeable absence has sparked significant criticism. She has yet to visit the affected areas or acknowledge the crisis on her social media platforms, leading to a wave of discontent from both the public and political figures.
On July 3, 2025, when questioned about Kangana's lack of presence and response, Jai Ram Thakur refrained from defending her, stating, “We stand with our people until the end. What can be said about those who show no concern?” This remark was interpreted as a clear distancing from Kangana's inaction.
However, on the following morning, Kangana took to social media to address the situation, shifting the blame onto Jai Ram Thakur. She claimed he had advised her to postpone her visit until connectivity was restored, stating, “Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur ji told me not to visit Seraj and other flood-affected areas of Mandi until the situation improves.”
Kangana further mentioned that the Mandi administration had issued a red alert and that she was awaiting formal approval for her visit, assuring her followers, “I will be with the people very soon.”
Public Reaction to Kangana's Statement
The response to her post has been overwhelmingly critical, with many accusing her of evading responsibility and demonstrating inadequate leadership during this crisis.
One user, Kartavya Vaidya, commented, “You couldn’t even win a panchayat election. Jai Ram ji made you an MP — do you need him to guide you on everything? He is with the people of Himachal. What are you doing?”
Kiran Rajesh Thakur expressed disappointment, stating, “This delay is deeply disappointing. People need you now. Just visit the affected areas and witness their suffering.” Narinder Kumar added, “Madam MP ji, everything is almost restored now. What’s the point of your visit later? People needed help earlier — they’re managing now. You’ve woken up after four days.”
Nidhi Gupta criticized her further, saying, “So now you’re blaming Jai Ram ji for your delayed visit? You’re acting like a child who needs to be told where to go.”
Previous Criticism for Delayed Response
This is not the first instance where Kangana Ranaut has faced backlash for her slow response during a disaster. In 2023, her late arrival during severe rains in Mandi had also drawn similar criticism. This recurring pattern raises concerns about her commitment to her public duties.
As Kangana continues to communicate through social media, the residents of Mandi are still waiting for their elected representative to arrive and provide the necessary support.